World Traveller 73 
Review: The Westin Toronto Airport, Canada
I needed a quick overnight stay near Toronto Pearson International Airport. There aren’t many new or exciting options around the Toronto International Airport so for the sake of variety, I’ve been on the hunt for a better hotel stay. After having stayed at the Toronto Airport Marriott, the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre, and the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto Airport, I decided to change it up this time and stay at the Westin Toronto Airport. I discovered that this was the best hotel of the bunch, with comfortable spacious rooms and pleasant guest treatment.
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Review: The Westin Hotel Toronto Airport, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
After a day of running around through Ontario’s southern portion of the province, I needed a short one night stay near the Toronto International Airport prior to my flight out on Air Canada Signature Business Class Toronto – Vancouver.
The Marriott Bonvoy portfolio around the Toronto International Airport isn’t all that inspiring. While all the hotels have all been refurbished to brand standards, most of the properties are quite old and less than aspirational.
Having stayed at many of the Marriott Bonvoy properties, please see the following reviews if you happen to be comparison shopping Toronto Airport Hotels:
- Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport
- Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre
- Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel
Given that I had stayed at many of these properties, I decided that I would try something new. As a result, I booked myself into the Westin Toronto Airport for this one night stay.
Booking the Westin Toronto Airport Hotel:
I booked the hotel through the Marriott website. Initially, the pricing was what you would expect on a weekday at around $226 CAD ($167 USD). I ended up booking a base level Traditional – 1 King, and ended up getting a solid Marriott Bonvoy Upgrade into a Deluxe – Larger Guest Room, courtesy of Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Level status.
The hotel primarily caters to business travellers. Accordingly, the rates during the weekdays are typically high (between $260 – $371 CAD / $192 – $274 USD), where as on the weekend the rates drop to around $175 – $250 CAD / $129 – 184 USD.
During our stay, Marriott Bonvoy redemption rates were between 21,000 to 38,000 Marriott Bonvoy points valued at approximately $168 CAD – $308 CAD at a 0.8 cent valuation. As a result, if you plan on redeeming points, you’ll have to have a close assessment to see whether your points are worth more than the posted room rates.
Getting to the Westin Toronto Airport:
The Westin Toronto Airport is located as an “off airport” property hotel, situated approximately 5 minutes drive away from the Toronto International Airport.
I arrived to the property by rental car from meetings in the southern area of Ontario via Route 401 to Route 427. It was easy to locate the property courtesy of the Dixon Road highway exit. There was also a convenient (but busy) Shell Gas station on Dixon Road that allowed me to refill the rental car, prior to returning it the next morning.
While there was a convenient unloading area at the front of the hotel property, I ended up self parking my vehicle at the rear of the property. I ended up pulling a ticket and driving into the parking lot, which was located at the rear of the hotel. Self Parking was $32 CAD a night, with unlimited “in and out” privileges.
There isn’t much within walking distance surrounding the hotel other than a Church’s Fried Chicken, a Ruth Chris’ Steakhouse and a Keg Steakhouse immediately across the street. As a result, you’ll need access to a vehicle if you plan on accessing anything other than these few limited options.
Overall, I was satisfied with the hotel’s location and proximity to the Toronto International Airport. While it wasn’t attached to the airport, it was close enough to be convenient. While the Dixon Road area of Mississauga is pretty drab and unexciting, the hotel’s location was really easy to access from the Greater Toronto’s area’s freeways. The Westin Toronto Airport also had ample gas stations around, making it an easy exercise in refilling the rental car.
Checking Into the Westin Toronto Airport Hotel:
After self parking the car, I entered the hotel through the rear hotel entrance. I had no problems self parking, with a number of spots available. Having driven over 600 kilometers in 4 days over a series of work meetings, I was pretty happy to leave the rental car for the evening.
The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel was initially built in the early seventies in the year 1971. The hotel has been completely refurbished since then, although the lobby has a feel from the era of the swinging seventies.
The lobby features large atriums, an exposed interior stairway, along with elevated seating areas that offer a grand view over spaces. It was fairly quiet when I arrived at 8:30 PM on a weekday evening.
It was very easy to find the front desk. There was no line when I arrived and I was attended to promptly.
During the check in my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status was warmly recognized. I had an explanation of the property features. I was also informed that I had been upgraded to a Deluxe Larger Guest Room, despite this not showing as my room assignment in the Marriott App.
I ended up taking the 1000 points as the Marriott Bonvoy Elite welcome bonus. I did manage to confirm that the Marriott Bonvoy Elite breakfast for Platinum and Higher was a coupon for the full buffet at Atmosphere’s restaurant.
Unfortunately, my schedule didn’t allow for this wonderful induglence. I ended up taking the points instead, figuring that I would get breakfast elsewhere at the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – Toronto Domestic or perhaps on board my flight on Air Canada Signature Business Class Vancouver – Toronto the next day.
The Room: Deluxe, Larger Guest Room, 1 King, Airport View
I had initially booked the base level Traditional Guest Room – 1 King. Given that I wasn’t expecting to spend much time on the property, I didn’t have any expectations of an upgrade.
Despite this, my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium level status provided me with access to the “Best Available Room at Check In, including Select Suites“. At this property, this meant a one category upgrade to a Deluxe – Larger Guest Room – 1 King, which was greatly appreciated.
I was assigned room #1118, which was near the top floor. After I stepped off on the floor, the hallways had a bit of a dated impression, which was quickly elevated after I got into the room.
I stepped inside the Deluxe – Larger Guest Room. I was immediately struck by the larger space than the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orillia that I was staying in earlier in the week. The room space was a much nicer space than the rooms I’ve been assigned at the nearby Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel, given how much larger it was.
The Westin Toronto Airport Deluxe – Larger Guest room was generously apportioned at 380 sq feet offering a larger and spacious stay. There is nothing like a roomy hotel room to make your stay more comfortable, as you get the opportunity to just stretch out and get comfortable.
The room featured a comfortably appointed Westin Heavenly Bed. The Westin bed offered a comfortable and well appointed bedding ensemble, complete with crisp sheets, and a comforter duvet. Duvet’s are usually absent from most of my hotel stays. As a result, it was nice to see this level of home at an airport hotel on the road.
The room featured a small mini sofa, against a window that offered some distant airside views.
The room had a tiny desk space that was among the smaller desk spaces that I’ve seen in a hotel room. I wouldn’t recommend setting up shop to work at a desk like this. However, it was sufficient for an overnight airport stay.
In a further sign that things are returning to normal after the pandemic, my room had a Marriott Bonvoy welcome amenity placed inside it. The welcome amenity consisted of a nice note from management, along with a can of house made sparkling water, and a trio of tasty macaroons.
The room featured an in – room coffee maker, along with proper Westin glassware. Surprisingly, the coffee was unbranded, despite a Starbucks coffee outlet in the lobby of the hotel.
The hotel room featured a smaller bathroom, which was located just off the entrance.
The hotel room’s closet was located closer to the bathroom, making it a little inconvenient to change clothes. Most newer hotels feature a larger bathroom area; the layout of this particular closet was a little dated in comparison to modern standards.
The bathroom itself was a standard Westin variety. It offered a single vanity sink, a shower tub combination and light weight Westin robes.
There weren’t many suites available on the floor. My room #1118 was one of the larger rooms on the floor, aside from the larger suite at the end.
The room featured a distant view of Toronto Pearson International Airport airside operations. While I wouldn’t grade this as one of the best airside views (that honour goes to the Sheraton Nice Airport) this view was pretty reasonable.
Overall, I was really impressed with the extra space. While I was looking for a brief overnight airport stay, I appreciated having the extra room. The soundproofing on the room was solid, and we didn’t have much airplane noise despite being located right next to the airport.
Food and Beverage:
Atmosphere Restaurant
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Breakfast
The full service hotel offers the Atmosphere Restaurant immediately on site. The atmosphere’s restaurant was completely closed by the time I got sorted after arrival at 9 PM. I ended up crossing the street to the Keg Steakhouse, so I wasn’t able to test out the faciliites.
Crosswinds Bar and Grill:
On the other hand, the lobby Crosswinds Bar and Grill was open with a few weary travellers enjoying a drink. The seating area appeared to have a nice view over the hotel lobby. However, given a short six hour sleep planned on this visit, I didn’t end up “tying one on” into the late hours.
Westin Gift Shop:
The Westin Toronto Airport offered a small sundries gift shop. The gift shop contained a few items and was open twenty four hours. Unlike some airport hotel gift shops, this version was pretty minimal and didn’t offer a whole lot.
Starbucks Coffee:
The Westin Toronto Airport featured a small breakfast hour Starbucks Coffee outlet. I always appreciate having a coffee outlet in the hotel. This version was open when I left the hotel at 5:30 AM the next day.
Around the Property:
No Executive Lounge:
One thing that happens to be missing from this Westin property is an executive lounge. In this sense, the property is at a disadvantage from the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel and the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre.
However, it turns out I didn’t miss the lounge as much as I thought I would. It turns out I wouldn’t end up spending any time at the property during snack time, or when I would typically expect to have used the executive lounge.
As a result, I enjoyed my stay here at the Westin Toronto Airport over these other two airport properties. The Westin Toronto Airport also features some other options around the property that add value to a stay.
The Indoor Pool:
Along with a full service hotel, the Westin Toronto Airport offered an Indoor Pool and Fitness Studio. The Westin Workout Fitness Studio and pool was located on the third floor.
During my visit, the pool was open 5:30 AM – 11 PM. It was accessible by key card.
The pool was a reasonable size for one that was located on the third floor of a building. It was empty when I visited.
Westin Fitness Studio:
The Westin Workout Fitness Studio was co – located with the pool. During my visit, the hours of operation of the gym were twenty four hours per day.
On my visit, there were a few bored teenagers looking for something to do who were hanging out in this space. However, it was pretty quiet otherwise.
Checking out of the Westin Toronto Airport Hotel:
The next morning, I checked out of the Westin Toronto Airport Hotel. I was headed for an Air Canada Signature Business Class Toronto – Vancouver flight, which was departing at 8:05 AM.
I had a terrible 5:45 AM Central Time Zone departure time, made all the more worse that it was the equivalent of 2:45 AM Pacific Standard Time zone.
Despite this early departure, everything was accurate on my bill. My check out through the front desk was pleasant and efficient.
My Marriott Bonvoy points for the stay posted as expected approximately 4 days after my stay.
The Bottom Line: The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel
The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel was a better than expected stay that I found was slightly better than my recent stays at the Toronto Airport Marriott and Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Convention Centre. While I did’t miss the lounges offered at these locations, I enjoyed the larger room that the Westin Toronto airport offered.
I would easily stay again at this property if given the choice between the three Marriott Bonvoy airport hotel locations.
World Traveller 73 
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